GLASSINGS where victims are left scarred for life are prompting a growing number of Gwent councillors to back calls for bottles and glasses in pubs and clubs to be replaced with plastic containers.

Councillors and police say replacing glass with plastic will help reduce the sort of vicious attacks which mar our towns and cities - and some Gwent pubs are already using plastic containers because of the problem.

Newport councillor Ken Powell, the member for Alway, is asking his cabinet to back the campaign for plastic containers - and has been discussing his concerns with the community safety partnership.

"I think this initiative could possibly save somebody's life," said Councillor Powell.

"You cannot completely prevent violence but I think plastic glasses will help to contain it. Anything we can do to stop this kind of violence, the better it will be for everybody concerned."

Across Gwent, councillors share his concern and say the only way forward is to replace glasses with plastic containers.

Pontypool councillor and deputy mayor of Torfaen Lyndon Irwin said: "I would welcome anything that would prevent drink-related violence.

"I have been around Pontypool town centre and there are not really too many incidents of violence from pubs, but I have seen glassing incidents in the town.

"They are absolutely horrendous and uncivilised, and I think plastic glasses would be a good way to stop such violence."

Councillor Alan Morris, from Liswerry Ward, Newport, said: "Anything that reduces the risk of injury or violence to people has got to be seriously looked into."

Chris Woodhouse, Monmouthshire cabinet member for public protection and community safety, said: "I read the Argus regularly and have read recently of some nasty incidents with glasses which may have been avoided if a policy of using plastic cups had been in effect.

"The north of the county isn't so bad, so we don't have such a problem, but I would welcome anything which had the effect of increasing the safety of the community.

"We will monitor whatever response comes out of Newport very carefully. It is sad that it has come to this."